Photo: Thierry ArbaultCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Shoreweed Plant Care
Littorella uniflora Asch.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This aquatic plant is characterized by its small, round leaves that form dense mats on the surface of shallow water. Littorella uniflora originates from North America and Europe, where it is sought after by plant collectors for its unique appearance and ability to create a lush, green carpet in aquariums or pond gardens.
Every 2–3 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Shoreweed?
Water Shoreweed every 2–3 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Shoreweed Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Shoreweed?
Shoreweed (Littorella uniflora) belongs to the Plantaginaceae family within the Littorella genus. Shoreweed is native to the Azores, Morocco, most of Europe excluding the dry southeast, Iceland, and the Faroes. Shoreweed is also known as Water Lobelia.
Shoreweed displays a low mat-forming groundcover growth habit, reaching up to 0.1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Shoreweed produces small inconspicuous flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Shoreweed?
Littorella uniflora requires watering every 2–3 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 2–3 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Shoreweed Need?
Shoreweed thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Shoreweed Prefer?
Littorella uniflora grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Shoreweed prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Shoreweed?
Sandy, moist soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Shoreweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Shoreweed?
Feed Shoreweed every month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Shoreweed?
Divide and replant every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Shoreweed?
Shoreweed can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to american quillwort plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Shoreweed Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Shoreweed, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Shoreweed?
Shoreweed is susceptible to no common pests known. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Shoreweed Need?
Shoreweed grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Shoreweed is native to the Azores, Morocco, most of Europe excluding the dry southeast, Iceland, and the Faroes.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 4a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Shoreweed is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Littorella genus — compare its care with other Littorella species on PlantoScan.
Littorella is part of the Plantaginaceae plant family — browse all Plantaginaceae genera and species.
Shoreweed thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Littorella uniflora Asch., family Plantaginaceae (first published in Fl. Brandenburg 1: 544 (1864)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Shoreweed, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Thierry Arbault, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 4a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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